The Power of Youth Mentoring
What do we mean by Mentoring?
Youth mentoring is a transformative relationship that goes beyond providing instruction. Instead, it invites purposeful connection. Research indicates that close and authentic mentoring relationships have the potential to bring about meaningful change in young people’s lives. Mentoring provides a safe space for young people to connect with interested adults so they can share their concerns and aspirations while receiving guidance and support from mentors who may have had similar experiences before them. This exchange of experiences and knowledge builds a foundation of trust and mutual respect and a nurturing environment for growth.
The Role of TRACTION Mentors
TRACTION Mentors play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of young people. Our mentors go beyond sharing knowledge; they provide young people with the experience of a secure relationship with adults by providing empathy and encouragement and demonstrating a genuine interest in young people and their life journey. Effective mentors create a comfortable space for open communication, actively listen to young people’s concerns, and guide them through a process to support informed choices and decisions.
Benefits for Young People
Social and Emotional Support:
Adolescence can be a challenging time emotionally. A mentor provides a non-judgmental listening ear and guidance through personal struggles. This emotional support can be crucial in helping young people cope with stress and anxiety and navigate other mental health challenges. Importantly, mentors also break down feelings of isolation and loneliness by facilitating opportunities for developing social connections with other young people who may be sharing similar experiences.
Personal Development:
Mentoring allows young people to set and achieve personal goals, boosting their self-esteem and confidence. Through open conversations and constructive feedback, young people gain insight into their behaviour through learning to identify and embrace their strengths, acknowledge areas for improvement, become more comfortable with help-seeking and work towards becoming the best versions of themselves.
Education and Career Guidance:
As young people navigate their educational and career journeys, mentors equip young people with tools and strategies for enhanced engagement with learning and offer valuable advice and insights into various educational or career pathways. Mentoring offers young people a non-judgemental space to explore learning styles, strengths, interests and hopes for the future. Assisting young people to develop knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes equips them to begin making informed decisions about their study and work options to enable meaningful participation in working life.
Skill Development:
Mentors help build practical skills often overlooked in traditional educational settings. Young people gain practical, real-world experience, ranging from effective communication and problem-solving to time management, teamwork and leadership, essential skills for success in any field.
TRACTION Mentors’ top tips for Successful Youth Mentoring
Julia - Every Day is a New Opportunity
As mentors, it's important to encourage our young people to take a step back when life becomes too much. Sometimes, hitting pause and giving ourselves time to reset is the best way to move forward. Each new day presents a fresh opportunity to start again and work towards a better future.
Jim - Find a Connection
Ask questions with the intention of "finding a connection". There is an opportunity for every single participant to find something in common. I also find it useful to allow them to be the teacher or the expert and ask them to fill me in on strategies and their biggest win. As mentors, together with our genuine interest in the young people we work with, we can spark a connection with just one question.
Pete - Be Gentle. Be curious. Be real.
Mentoring cannot be forced. We lean in gently with our young people and meet them where they are at. We're curious and authentic, we're ‘real’ models. TRACTION mentors model positive behaviours and impart the value of having a real model in their corner. This gives young people a platform to seek out strong connections to help them navigate through the complexities of life.
Ben – Be Authentic
Be YOU, in all its beauty and grossness and everything in between. Laugh, cry, be vulnerable, be grumpy, be goofy, be honest, be human. The impact that has on our young people is immeasurable. To let them see an adult be fully themselves, lets them feel it's ok to just be themselves.
How You Can Help
Youth mentoring is a powerful force for positive change. Mentors guide young people through challenges and help them become confident, resilient, and connected – for learning, their personal lives, and their futures. It is also important to note that the impact of youth mentoring extends beyond the young person to their families and the communities around them. By investing in youth mentoring programs, we invest in a brighter, more promising future for future generations. You can help TRACTION continue providing life-changing mentoring for young people by donating today.
